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in the afternoon, and tried to persuade her to dine with him. But Ann was obdurate in her refusal to meet him anywhere outside the precincts of her own establishment. And then, fearing that he might call on her after her shop was closed, she invited Mrs. Hill to accompany her to the cinema in the evening.

Being over a hundred miles from one of the mainline railway junctions, Wairiri seldom had a chance of seeing the dramatic and musical comedy companies which visited the larger centers of the Dominion, after touring in Australia. It was difficult for any theatrical organization to transport scenery and company so far, entirely by motor-lorries and cars. Consequently a visit to the “pictures” was the sole nightly entertainment of the little town; and there were two rival firms exhibiting films.

Ann decided this evening to book seats at the less fashionable of the two cinemas. It wasn’t very likely that Waring would visit either of the theaters; he’d be much more likely to be playing bridge or poker at the club. But in case he did call at the shop and find her out, there was a chance that he would stroll along to the Coliseum, where so many residents of Wairiri spent their evenings. Consequently Ann avoided the Coliseum, and went to the Regent instead.

Here they were featuring “Snowy” Baker in an outdoor film. Ann found his feats of horsemanship quite thrilling, and she was glad she had chosen this particular theatre. She had no desire to see one of the usual, lurid Hollywood dramas of crime and passion. Here was something real—a man who rode with pluck and daring. And Ann still cherished an ardent desire to become an accomplished horsewoman. She had no